[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019af2b9-6db1-7669-b1a8-71b0a5423830.webp[/img]
[color=f26522]Time[/color]: Evening
[color=f26522]Location[/color]: Ballroom - dessert table -> Magnus, Nora, and Amira
[color=f26522]Interactions[/color]: [@AuthenticTomb] Sylvia, [@samreaper] Kazumin, [@Chrys] Amira, [@HylianRose] Nora, [@Remram] Magnus
[color=f26522]Mentions[/color]: [@princess] Charlotte/Eden/Calbert, [@FunnyGuy] Lorenzo
[color=f26522]outfit:[/color][url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019cd422-ce99-733e-8c36-fa5b132276f8.webp]Traditional Ravenwood Formal Wear[/url] [/center]
[hr][hr]

Roman watched [color=limegreen]Kazumin's[/color] face brighten into a wide smile at the mention of his magnificence. That was good. He knew there was still lingering tension between the two men—a quiet disapproval or disagreement. He had no intention of making it worse and tried to make his words as sincere as possible. After all, he was sincere, and he would need [color=limegreen]Kazu's[/color] help in the coming month.

The smile plastered on his face didn’t fade, and he even found himself laughing at the interaction between [color=limegreen]Kazu[/color] and [color=F09A99]Sylvia[/color]. “[color=f26522]Sweets are a good start, but drinks sound better—just maybe not at a tavern this time.[/color]” It was a slight joke, but his smile remained genuine. “[color=f26522]And don’t sell yourself short, young lord. You held your own much better than one would expect in that fight. I'd be happy to have you at my back any day.[/color]”

[color=salmon]“ARE YOU MAD?! Do you think I would ever entertain my daughter ever being with you?"[/color]

A familiar voice cut through the revelry with such explosive emotion that Roman immediately snapped his attention to the sound, barely stopping himself from reaching for a weapon that wasn't at his hip. Instinct took over, and he instinctively positioned himself between [color=F09A99]Sylvia[/color] and the direction of the shout. Fighting his drilled training to protect Varian royalty was an exercise in futility. His posture didn’t relax even after he saw who was shouting, nor who the [color=DDB775]King's[/color] ire was directed at.

The angry words carried clearly, dampening the conversations of the surrounding nobility. An explosive public confrontation between the [color=DDB775]King[/color] and [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color] could be incredibly dangerous. Even [color=limegreen]Kazu[/color] seemed taken aback by the sudden outburst; as he tried to literally breathe in his food in the face of this when he heard him choke on his food.

[color=limegreen]“Feel free to seek me out soon, and we’ll figure out the details later, aye?”[/color]

Roman nodded at [color=limegreen]Kazu[/color]. “[color=f26522]Go.[/color]” He watched the man shift gears and quickly push through the crowd. Roman didn’t follow. He wanted to—wanted to join them up there and show his support—but he held his ground. The best excuse he had was that he needed to protect [color=F09A99]Sylvia[/color] if the situation devolved into chaos. With those two going at each other, it very well might.

The [color=DDB775]King[/color] delivered his reply—his ultimatum, his manipulation. It wasn’t stellar, but the interaction clearly caught the monarch off guard. He hadn't expected any pushback from whatever [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color] had said first, but he quickly rallied and continued his tirade. Through it all, [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color] remained tight-lipped and visibly furious. His posture said it all; Roman could see the man wouldn’t back down.

A sudden movement from [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color] made Roman tense. Even from across the room, he could see the shift in weight, the flex of muscles, the slight pivot in the hips. He was going to take a swing at the [color=DDB775]King[/color]. It was a downright reckless move, but one Roman completely understood. Unfortunately, [color=salmon]Lorenzo[/color] was too far away for Roman to intervene. If that swing connected, it would only make his deal with [color=#D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color] infinitely harder to pull off—if not outright impossible.

His mind raced, rapidly changing plans and forming contingencies, when an unlikely individual stepped in—someone Roman didn’t even entirely recognize at first. [color=4C93C2]Calbert Damien[/color]. The man somehow managed to catch [color=salmon]Lorenzo’s[/color] fist mid-swing. He looked different—bigger, perhaps? Whether it was a spell or just the cut of his clothes, something about him felt far more formidable tonight.

It seemed the explosive confrontation was finally boiling down. Roman visibly relaxed his posture and turned back to [color=F09A99]Sylvia[/color]. “[color=f26522]I, for one, would very much like to see you again outside of this ball—and hopefully after tomorrow.[/color]” His smile dropped slightly at the grim reminder of what tomorrow held, but he pushed past it. “[color=f26522]It would be wonderful to have some time to catch up, to get to know the elegant young woman you have become in a more comfortable setting.[/color]”

His gaze shifted across the room, landing on another familiar face he wanted to speak with. It looked like the princess was perfectly safe at the dessert table for now.

“[color=f26522]I do hope you have a wonderful evening, Sylvia. Now, if you will excuse me.[/color]” He smiled, offered her a quick bow, and moved off toward the familiar face he had spotted.

[hr]

He politely and slowly made his way through the throng of celebrating nobles. Most were lost in their own hushed conversations, buzzing with gossip about the recent outburst. Roman tuned them all out. None of their chatter held any value to him; right now, he just wanted to do something for himself. The small group he had spotted from afar grew closer, and he could clearly recognize two of the figures.

Lady [color=tan]Nora Pawonska[/color] and Shehzadi [color=00aeef]Amira Kadir[/color] stood together, accompanied by a man who bore a strong resemblance to [color=tan]Nora[/color]. Her brother [color=#35A8F0]Magnus[/color], most likely. Roman had read up on their family after his late-night stroll with [color=tan]Nora[/color], but he had only found names and brief descriptions, no portraits. [color=00aeef]Amira[/color] was an interesting girl; he had met her a couple of times during his visits to Alidasht. She was usually quiet at first, and then transitioned into what could only be described as bubbly. He wouldn’t put it past her to have forgotten him entirely, though he did remember that she had always seemed fond of the small gifts he brought her from his homeland.

He calmly and confidently approached the trio. Only as he drew near did he realize they looked a little upset about something. What that might be, he couldn't say, but he approached with a warm smile anyway.

“[color=f26522]Lady [color=tan]Nora Pawonska[/color], a pleasure to see you again. I must say, that shade of crimson is absolutely striking—it rivals even the brightest ruby I’ve ever worked with. And Shehzadi [color=00aeef]Amira Kadir[/color], you bring the serene beauty of the Alidasht coast straight into this crowded room. It is always lovely to see you. Which means you must be [color=#35A8F0]Magnus Pawonska[/color]? You are looking magnificent tonight.[/color]”

He gave them all a warm smile after each complement on their attire, offering [color=00aeef]Amira[/color] a respectful bow of his head and shoulder, the metal of his pauldron gleaming in the chandelier's light. “[color=f26522]Lord Roman Ravenwood, at your service. I do hope I’m not intruding.[/color]” He kept his demeanor polite, calm, and confident—but relaxed enough that he could easily step away if his intrusion wasn't welcome.